National Statement: Chile

STATEMENT BY THE HEAD OF THE CHILEAN DELEGATION, H.E. THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC,

MS. MICHELLE BACHELET JERIA

(NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT,

WASHINGTON, D.C., 31 MARCH & 1 APRIL 2016) 

Mr. President,

Chile joins other delegations in expressing our appreciation to the United States for your exceptional direction and organization of this Fourth Nuclear Security Summit. We highlight your leadership in this initiative, which represents an important dimension of the vision expressed in its statement made in Prague to address nuclear threats.

We are convinced that the efforts, and particularly the results of this process, will project in time, granting the international community with more robust global nuclear security architecture.

My country has firmly supported all international efforts to strengthen peace and security in the world, guided by the principle of the indivisibility of international security, where all States – regardless of their power or size – share the responsibility of consolidating a global order, based on cooperation and international law.

In this regard, we believe that cooperation in the field of Nuclear Security is one of the most effective ways for the international community to prevent the potential catastrophic consequences that the malicious use of nuclear and/or radiological material would have in a terrorist attack.

The recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, and in particular, the attempts to enter a nuclear facility, have proven the urgency of addressing the threat of Nuclear Terrorism.

From the start of this process, Chile has sought formulas to advance the consolidation of a legal and political regime to enhance nuclear security. This has entailed doubling the efforts to increase physical security in radioactive materials, generating measures to prevent nuclear smuggling, and the strengthening of international institutions in favor of nuclear security.

This is why we are proud to announce the creation of the Radiological Emergency Security Commission (CONSER), an inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral organism that seeks to generate policies regarding the coordination, preparation, and responses to radiological emergencies caused by accidents or illicit acts.

Moreover, and in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), we have assumed a formal commitment to implement a project for the detection of radioactive material in border points. The project will entail the donation of radioactive-source detection equipment to customs and police authorities, as well as the Chilean Commission on Nuclear Energy, in its capacity as the regulatory entity.

Similarly, during the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul in 2012, my country committed to develop a Nuclear Security Support Center (CASN). We are happy to announce that this project is in the final stage of its execution and will become operational in the coming months. This initiative will focus on the development of human resources in nuclear physical security, resulting in the strengthening of national capacities in the preparation; response; detection; equipment management and mitigation actions regarding radiological emergencies of different origins, involving the participation of people of different levels in security.

With respect to the strengthening and support of multilateral instruments, Chile has stated its commitment with the physical protection of nuclear and radioactive installations against the non-authorized removal of nuclear or radioactive material and acts of sabotage.  Proof of this is the series of treaties and agreements we have joined, such as the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment, which we hope will enter into effect shortly, and which we have strongly promoted in different geographical regions and fora.

We also participated actively in the promotion of the universalization and full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which continues to be the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime.

Chile is also part of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.

Another action worth noting is our contribution to the minimization of Highly Enriched Uranium. In this regard, Chile has converted its uranium enriching reactors to less than 20% and does not possess highly-enriched nuclear fuel. Furthermore, our country does not consider plutonium separation as part of its activities of the nuclear fuel cycle.  And finally, none of the research and development initiatives consider the use of highly enriched uranium.  

These are some of Chile’s most significant achievements that resulted from our commitment with the goals of the Nuclear Security Summit process. We are convinced that this initiative can contribute to advance the objective of ensuring all nuclear materials.

I would like to thank again the Government of the United States for the intense effort carried out during this Summit, as well as underline the significant momentum this initiative has generated in increasing nuclear security in the world. We are pleased, Mr. President, to contribute our part to reach this common objective.

Finally, we certainly hope that your legacy will constitute the basis for facilitating our common efforts aimed at preventing and confronting the threat of Nuclear Terrorism.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.